2224 research outputs found
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Mild troponin elevation in patients admitted to the emergency department with atrial fibrillation: 30-day post-discharge prognostic significance.
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often undergo troponin (Tn) testing in the emergency department (ED), but the clinical significance of mildly elevated values remains unclear. We evaluated short-term 30-day post-discharge outcomes in AF patients according to troponin levels. Out of 2181 AF patients evaluated in the ED (June 2014 to June 2015), we included consecutive admitted patients. Patients were grouped into those with normal Tn values (≤ 0.05 ng/mL), mild elevations (> 0.05-0.5 ng/mL, 10× URL) and marked elevations (> 0.5 ng/mL). Outcomes included acute coronary syndrome (ACS), revascularization, all-cause mortality and combined end point; the secondary outcome was ischemic stroke. A total of 348 patients (90.9%) had Tn testing, which was associated with longer in-hospital stay (median 2.04 vs. 0.74 days in unmeasured Tn, p = 0.014); 37.1% did not have clinical suspicion of ACS. Mild Tn elevation occurred in 19.0% and 6.3% had markedly elevated values. Compared to normal values, mild elevations had higher absolute incidence, without statistical significance, of ACS (1.5 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.202), revascularization (1.5 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.202), all-cause mortality (12.1 vs. 6.9%, p = 0.200), combined end point (13.3 vs. 6.9%, p = 0.084) or ischemic stroke (4.5 vs. 2.3%, p = 0.394). Tn testing is routine in admitted AF patients, even without suspicion of ACS, and is associated with prolonged stay. Mild Tn elevation is associated with a nonsignificant trend toward higher adverse events. Larger-scale studies are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Tn testing for prognosis in admitted AF patients, as this prolongs stay and has unclear impact on patient management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Massive pericardial effusion caused by hypothyroidism.
Although mild pericardial effusion is a usual finding in patients with hypothyroidism, massive pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade is rare and customarily related to severe hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism should be considered in the differential of patients presenting with unexplained pericardial effusion, even when signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are nonexistent.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Is the management of diabetes different in dialysis patients?
Diabetes is highly and increasingly prevalent in the dialysis population and negatively impacts both quality and quantity of life. Nevertheless, the best approach to these patients is still debatable. The question of whether the management of diabetes should be different in dialysis patients does not have a clear yes or no answer but is divided into too many sub-issues that should be carefully considered. In this review, lifestyle, cardiovascular risk, and hyperglycemia management are explored, emphasizing the possible pros and cons of a similar approach to diabetes in dialysis patients compared to the general population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Pancreatic cancer presenting as colonic disease. A rare case report
INTRODUCTION:
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths. About 50% of the patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Metastatic disease to the colon is a very rare entity with only 5 cases described in english literature.
CASE PRESENTATION:
Male, 60 years-old, presents to a surgical consult with the diagnosis of an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. The physical exam revealed a periumbilical nodule with suspicious features. The staging CT-scan showed a mass in the tail of the pancreas involving the spleen and left kidney, thickening of the sigmoid colon, multiple mesenteric masses and trabecular changes in the ischium, suggesting metastatic disease. The case was discussed by a multidisciplinary team and it was decided to do a biopsy of the umbilical nodule and review the specimen obtained in colonoscopy. Pathological analysis revealed a metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The patient was proposed to start palliative chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. After 2 cycles of FOLFOX the patient was admitted in the OR with a perforation of the sigmoid mass. He was submitted to a sigmoidectomy with end colostomy, with discharge at the 5th postoperative day. Pathological analysis of the specimen confirmed the pancreatic origin of the tumor. Patient proceeded with palliative treatment, with death 9 months after the diagnosis.
DISCUSSION:
Pancreatic metastasis to the colon is a very rare entity. Care should be taken when addressing these patients.
CONCLUSION:
Although rare, a sigmoid tumor in a patient with known pancreatic adenocarcinoma must raise the suspicion of metastasis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparison of the AIMS65 Score with Other Risk Stratification Scores in Upper Variceal and Nonvariceal Gastrointestinal Bleeding.
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Ultrasound requested by general practitioners or for symptoms unrelated to the thyroid gland may explain higher prevalence of thyroid nodules in females.
BACKGROUND:
A higher prevalence of thyroid nodules/carcinoma in females is well-known from the literature. The reasons for this difference are not fully explained. We intended to assess gender variation in the referral for ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules, to study reasons for gender referral differences, and to assess differences in nodules characteristics between genders.
METHODS:
Included were 272 consecutive patients, with 290 nodules submitted to FNA. Patients were questioned on the reason why ultrasound (US) examination was required. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Nodules' ultrasound/cytological characteristics were assessed. Variables studied: referral cause; referral pattern (hospital-specialist versus general-practitioner); number of nodules; age, thyroid function; nodule size, TIRADS classification, resistive index, Doppler pattern, Bethesda categorisation. Variables were compared between males and females referred for FNA. Significant variables were assessed with logistic regression.
RESULTS:
Of the 272 patients, 215(79%) were women with a female:male referral ratio for FNA of 3.8:1. Non-parametric statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between genders in: thyroid function, nodule size, referral pattern and referral cause. Nodule size and thyroid function tests became non-significant in logistic regression. Cause and referral pattern remained significantly associated with gender. Referral by a general-practitioner was associated with a 2.6-fold increase in odds of referring a female. Causes unrelated to the thyroid were associated with a 3.2-fold increase in odds of female reference.
CONCLUSIONS:
A referral bias might be responsible for the higher rate of thyroid nodules in female patients, both due to referral by general practitioners and due to causes indirectly related to the thyroid gland.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Risk factors for the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms in liver cirrhosis
Comunicação oral premiada a nível europeu durante a United Gastroenterology Week 2018, com a NationalScholar Award, prémio destinado a jovens investigadores com < 35 anosinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Baseline ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS Correlation with Infarct Volume and Functional Outcome in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The role of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) in predicting which patients are likely to benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) is not well defined. An automated software (e-ASPECTS) has been created to solve its poor interrater reliability. We aim to evaluate correlation between radiologist (Rx) and e-ASPECTS scoring with cerebral blood volume (CBV) infarct core and with final infarct volume; as well as with long-term functional outcome.
METHODS:
We included patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT. We measured baseline radiologist (Rx) ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS, and baseline CBV infarct core on CT perfusion. Final infarct volume was measured on 24-hour control CT.
RESULTS:
We included 184 patients, in which 82.1% of patients achieved complete recanalization. Median Rx-ASPECTS/e-ASPECTS was 9 (IQR 8-10 vs. IQR 7.75-10) and mean CBV lesion was 29.51 (±47.41) mL. Correlation (rs ) between ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS was .44 (P < .01). Both ASPECTS scores correlated with CBV after 180 minutes of symptom onset (rs = -.41 vs. -.54, P < .01) and with final infarct volume in patients with complete recanalization (rs = -.40 vs. -.43, P < .01). In a logistic regression, either Rx-ASPECTS, e-ASPECTS, and CBV (OR 1.60 vs. 1.87 vs. .96; P < .05) predicted a low infarct volume. Rx-ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS also predicted functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 3 months (1.52 vs. 1.37; P < .05).
CONCLUSION:
ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS showed a mild correlation with CBV. Rx-ASPECTS, e-ASPECTS, and CBV predicted a low infarct volume after thrombectomy in recanalized patients but only Rx-ASPECTS and e-ASPECTS predicted functional independence at 3 months.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Correction: Pancreatoscopy-guided laser lithotripsy in a patient with difficult ductal stone
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio